Nick Sirianni has made it clear he wants to build a competitive atmosphere as head coach of the Eagles.
It looks like those efforts are starting to pay off.
The Eagles held the first of two joint practices with the Patriots at the NovaCare Complex on Monday, and while it was just one day, Sirianni’s group dominated Bill Belichick’s Patriots on both sides of the ball.
Monday was without question the best Jalen Hurts has looked since camp opened, including the team’s preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hurts moved the ball up-and-down the field against the Patriots defense in 11-on-11 drills, including the final drive of the game when he got them all the way down the field in a competitive two-minute drill. Hurts’ capped the drive off with a perfect throw to Jalen Reagor in the front corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Reagor looked to be in, but the refs called the play dead. Either way, the pass was perfect and a great ending to the drive for Hurts.
What was impressive about Hurts was his passing over the middle of the field. Hurts made a number of nice throws in the 15-20 yard range, hitting Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert and Quez Watkins for 15-plus yard completions. He made a number of really nice throws in 1-on-1 drills as well, hitting Quez Watkins and Jalen Reagor deep for touchdowns on back-to-back throws.
Hurts finished the day 19/25 with one touchdown. He had two interceptions as well, but both came on passes in 7-on-7 drills that bounced of off receiver’s hands. The interceptions aside, there is little doubt Hurts was the best quarterback on the field by a wide margin.
The Eagles defense also shined against the Patriots offense.
Cam Newton and the Patriots’ starting offense weren’t able to get anything going against the Eagles’ starting defense, with Newton going 9/17 with one interception. Of the nine incompletions maybe only one-or-two went beyond 15-yards, as most were check downs due to strong coverage in the secondary. Newton himself wasn’t bad — there simply were not plays to be made as both the secondary and the defensive line dominated.
The Eagles’ day ended on a high note defensively when Eric Wilson picked off Newton in the end zone during the two-minute drill.
In addition to out playing the Patriots on the field, the Eagles also seemed to be far more into the practice overall, with their sideline far louder and acting more competitive than the Patriots sideline was.
Add in the Eagles’ receivers having their best day of camp so far and there is no question that the first day of practice agains the Patriots cousin’t have gone any better for Sirianni’s team.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!